WHITE WINES
Bordailles Blanc*: A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion grapes, this French-inspired white wine is dry, with medium body and medium oak. Enjoy with seafood or roast turkey.
Bourgeron Blanc*: See Chardonnay
Chamblais*: An inspired blend of French Colombard, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay that produces an easy-drinking wine. Enjoy lightly chilled with casual meals like chicken salad...pasta salad...Ploughman's Lunch...or fresh-shucked oysters.
Chardonnay: The most widely planted white wine grape in the world, Chardonnay traces its origin to Burgandy (virtually all white wines from Burgandy are based on the Chardonnary grape). In addition to being a grape variety, Chardonnay has become a brand as strong as many packaged goods. (Its success created the "ABC movement", wine enthusiasts longing for "anything but Chardonnay" in their glass.) Golden in colour, the precise characteristics of your Chardonnay depend on the one you choose -- we have many Chardonnays including kits from France, Australia, Chile and British Columbia. ("Bella Bianco*" is highly recommended.) Enjoy your Chardonnay with fish, pork, shellfish, soft cheeses and more.
Chenin Blanc (aka Chenin, Pineau de la Loire, Pinot Blanco): Widely planted throughout the world -- Separately, the US and South Africa have more planted than France -- this refreshingly crisp and dry white wine is as versatile as it is popular. Enjoy it own its own, with light cream-based pastas or with spicy foods (although, generally, we prefer Gewurztraminer with the latter).
French Colombard: Widely planted in California, this grape variety originated in Cognac (where it is known simply as Colombard). Soft and smooth, French Colombard may be enjoyed -- lightly chilled -- on its own or with most fish and poultry dishes. This wine may be consumed while quite young.
Gewurztraminer: This wine, which literally means "spicy traminer" is my husband's favorite white wine -- but, he has an iron stomach and loves the spicy foods that perfectly complement this wine! Native to the Alsace, "gewurz" is also grown in Germany, Austria Switzerland, the US and Canada.
Johannisberg Riesling: See Riesling
Libfraumilch: The first white wine that many enjoyed -- remember Black Tower or Blue Nun -- this slighly-sweet wine is a blend of Riesling, Silvaner and Muller-Thurgau grapes. Enjoy Liebfraumilch with pork, turkey or veal dishes.
Piesporter: See Riesling
Pinot Grigio A best seller month after month, Pinot Grigio is a soft, dry white wine with a hint of peach. Enjoy with seafood, shell fish or poultry, or on its own. This varietal is also grown in the Alsace (where it is known as Tokay) in France (Pinot Gris) and in Germany (Rulander).
Riesling Germany is known around the world for its white wines and in particular its Rieslings. Slighly sweet, Riesling complements pork, turkey and veal dishes. The Riesling grape flourishes in cooler climates; you will find it in Austria where it is known as Rhine Riesling, in France's Alsace, in the US (Washington, Oregon and New York States,where it is known as Johannisberg Riesling) and in Ontario's Niagara Region.
Ruisseau Blanc: See Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc: The trademark of Sauvignon Blanc is its "grassy" aroma. Native to France, the grape for this dry wine is also grown in New Zealand, South Africa and the US. New Zealand has gained an enviable reputation for its Sauvignon Blancs -- according to the LCBO's Fall 2003 Price Book, 6 of the 9 listed New Zealand white wines are this style (average price $13.48 for a 750mL bottle).
Soave: A blended white wine -- predominently Garganega with some Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and/or Trebbiano -- from Italy's Veneto region. Straw yellow in colour, this wine is light and delicate -- enjoy it, well chilled, on its own or with casual cold meals, a summer buffet, for instance.
Trebianno: See Soave
Verdicchio: One of Italy's best known white wines, largely through the marketing efforts of Fazi-Battaglia (It introduced the amphora-shaped bottle and scroll-shaped label; LCBO product #24422, $9.95 for 750mL). Grown extensively in The Marches region, Verdicchio is a pleasantly fruity, light-to-medium bodied white wine that pairs well with pesto- and marinara-based pasta dishes. Of historical note: The Mondavi family comes from The Marches, although they emigrated to the US in the 1920s and have been making wine there since the 1960s.
Viognier Native to France, Viognier is a white wine that is best consumed young. Deep golden in colour, this dry, full-bodied wine has a powerful, rich and complex aroma of ripe apricots and orange blossoms. Enjoy with grilled salmon or roast pork loin.
White Zinfandel: A blush wine that may be made with the Zinfandel grape (but not necessarily -- Muscat and Riesling are also used) and which was introduced by Sutter Home Vineyards in the early 1970s. (Reportedly, its sales increased from 25,000 cases in 1980 to 1.5 million in 1986.) Light and refreshing, with flavours of raspberry and strawberry, it should be served well chilled on a hot summer's day.
* Trademark of the CCWA.
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